Four Drones Hit Starobelsk College Dormitory, Causing Collapse With 86 Youths Inside

A Ukrainian drone strike on May 22, 2026, targeting educational buildings and a student dormitory in the Luhansk region resulted in four deaths and 40 injuries, according to Russian officials.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova reported the casualties following the attack on the campus of Starobelsk College, which is affiliated with Luhansk Pedagogical University.

Russia’s Emergency Ministry stated that the assault caused the collapse of a five-story student dormitory. At the time of the strike, 86 students between the ages of 14 and 18, along with one staff member, were inside the building.

Svetlana Petrenko, a spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia, said that four drones were involved in the attack on the college’s administrative premises and the dormitory. She noted that the dormitory building collapsed down to its second floor.

Regional Health Minister Natalia Paschenko told local media that 40 people have sought medical assistance following the strike, a number that includes 14 minors.

Rescue operations are ongoing, as Petrenko stated that several people remain trapped under the rubble while officials continue to verify the total number of deaths and injuries.

The Russian Ministry of Education has dispatched specialists to the college to provide emergency psychological support to the survivors and those affected by the attack.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the strike.